* Background is here [Republican governors “thank” Madigan in new Rauner ad]. From Speaker Madigan…
“Illinois’ balanced budget is a bipartisan compromise between Republicans and Democrats who worked together to move beyond the governor’s political games and end his 732-day budget crisis. Rauner’s crisis created billions of dollars in unpaid bills, pushed Illinois to the edge of junk bond status, and shuttered social service providers throughout the state. Even now, after a bipartisan group of lawmakers agreed to make the tough decisions the governor was unwilling to make, Governor Rauner would still rather play political games than work cooperatively to repair the damage he has done.
“The governor’s ad highlights his own failure to lead, and fully embraces the race to the bottom being led by his role models from states where middle-class wages are a fraction of what they are in Illinois. It’s deeply disappointing that Governor Rauner would rather work with right-wing governors from other states than with legislators seeking bipartisan compromise right here in Illinois. But his actions ultimately reaffirm our resolve in the Legislature to continue our work in a bipartisan way without the governor’s involvement – just as we have for many months now.”
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
Madigan has done it again, deceiving voters with the erroneous claim that the budget he muscled through the legislature is “balanced.” In reality, the budget STILL has a $1.7 billion deficit, despite his massive 32% tax hike. Madigan’s unwillingness to reform state spending has led to the massive tax increases and budget deficit the state now faces.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
=where middle-class wages are a fraction of what they are in Illinois=
Nope.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-low-income-and-blue-collar-workers-are-the-worst-paid-in-the-region/
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:03 pm:
I think both of the governor’s ads highlight his failure to lead. What governor doesn’t highlight the accomplishments of a first term in an announcement for a second term? Answer: only one that has failed to get anything done.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:09 pm:
Word, Speaker.
If I was Madigan, I’d be glad to have an adversary as bad as Rauner. I hope Madigan takes the attack to Rauner more often, as Rauner is arguably the worst governor in state history and has caused more damage, per capita, than any other who’s not a criminal.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:09 pm:
==and fully embraces the race to the bottom being led by his role models…==
Madigan prefers the public sector “race” that has no competition, forced payment of entry fee even if you don’t want to race, and no freedom to choose what race you wish to run. In other words, a walk-a-thon around the bottom.
- Highland Il - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:15 pm:
Can’t speak to the other states but being a neighbor to Missouri I can say what are they bragging about?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
CZ, ask AFSCME or CTU if Madigan has been in the tank for them over the years. Like the tronc edit board, your position requires willful ignorance.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
Thx anonymous IPI guy - LOL
Rauner’s ads are repackaged reruns from four years ago. He really thinks we still want his 2014 campaign promises like we still want that Sriracha-flavored Kombucha Cronut while watching Miley Cyrus twerk.
What’s next Bruce - ice bucket challenge?
- Will Caskey - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
It highlights that Rauner is frustrated with his consultants’ (pretty decent) textbook recovery ads and wants his warm security blanket of whining about Madigan back.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
That ad is an A. Many, many residents of Illinois think MJM is the problem.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:28 pm:
word - That depends. How many $53,900 AFSCME checks fill up the Madigan tank these days? And CTU is free to grandstand while their parent union writes the Madigan checks…willfully.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
So much dishonesty from the Speaker.
The budget is not balanced.
The Speaker is touting bipartisanship. Think on that one.
The Speaker is lecturing about political games but dismisses his own.
The Speaker chastises the Governor for not working cooperatively but he can’t even strike a deal with the Democratic Senate for 2 1/2 years.
It is the Speaker who did not move one inch to compromise with the Governor
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:41 pm:
- Lucky Pierre -
When Rauner gets 60 and 30 on the stairs, you get back to me.
Huh, another “blame Madigan” ad.
Wonder how that will “go” for a failed governor named Bruce Rauner, lol
- TominChicago - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:42 pm:
Thanks for the chuckle VanillaMan.
- JohnDeereMade - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:46 pm:
Two wrongs don’t make a lick of right.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:48 pm:
“How many $53,900 AFSCME checks fill up the Madigan tank these days?”
Rauner gave Republicans $4.5 million these days.
“Madigan prefers the public sector”
Rauner loves himself some public sector. He’s hooked and can’t quit it. It’s her’on, those big, fat public pension accounts. He himself said his private equity business was “relatively flush” with public employee pension funds. But there’s never any criticism of Rauner from the right for being a collectivist—only for the unions and their political allies.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
Thx again anonymous IPI guy - LOL
To you - it’s an “A”, to everyone else it’s a rerun of the Geico caveman ads.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 12:58 pm:
“The Speaker is touting bipartisanship. Think on that one.”
Umm yea, the budget got 15 GOP votes to override. So let’s see. Most votes came from one party. The rest came from the other party. So pretty sure that’s known as bipartisan.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
Lol@ Lucky, Rauner’s very own Bill Naegele (may he Rest In Peace).
===The Speaker is touting bipartisanship. Think on that one.
The Speaker is lecturing about political games but dismisses his own.
The Speaker chastises the Governor for not working cooperatively but he can’t even strike a deal with the Democratic Senate for 2 1/2 years.==
Well that can’t be right. I very specifically remember a commenter named “Lucky Pierre” here recently, on this very website, frequently complaining about Republican legislators in the House and - let me check - yes in the Senate as well, “voting with Mike Madigan”. Was that “Lucky Pierre” lying to us all back then, or is this “Lucky Pierre” lying to us all now?
- JC is just saying... - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:05 pm:
Hey GOP…Of the 1229 municipalities and 102 counties in the state only 1 approved of the guvs “Turnaround Agenda” and it went downhill from there. I think there’s more than one person to point the finger at…let’s first start with an introspective look into your own house…oh wait that would require the utopian concept of accountability…Never mind!
- Left of the Lake - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
Its just so rich hearing these complaints of over spending when for the last two years its been Gov. Rauner himself signing contracts and making commitments to spend more state money with out appropriations. ie: Dept. of Corrections bills and planned Technology overhall. Those bills are on him.
- Whatever - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:22 pm:
==So much dishonesty from the Speaker.
The budget is not balanced.==
And the governor, with his line-item veto power and nearly 3 years in office, couldn’t think of a single dime to cut from it. I’m a Republican, but no way can I defend the Governor’s position on the budgets. The man claimed he could balance the budget while allowing the Quinn income tax increase to expire, and still can’t come up with enough cuts to balance the budget (using his numbers) with the new tax increase.
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:25 pm:
Just how effective is this ad?
Madigan responded to it.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
I’m already tired of the 32% increase spin. I mean, while they are hitting Madigan for spin, they are spinning it themselves. Not surprising at all but still annoying. I get that its technically correct, but they are only using it because it’s more likely to get people mad than saying the tax increase is taking away 1.2% more of your income.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
Dear ILGOP,
Rauner’s own proposed budget 100% required a tax increase, but you already knew that.
Thanks,
“Facts”
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 1:55 pm:
CZ, feel free to answer your own questions.
But I recall the public sector unions being pretty honked about SB1 passing, as well as legislation raising the threshold for CTU strikes.
Citizen Rauner thought that last one was especially swell.
The fact that now Rauner wants to completely put public sector unions out of business does not mean Madigan was in the tank for them in the past.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 4:47 pm:
The Governor cannot line item veto the budget into balance with the consent decrees and mandatory spending in the budget.
Only through cooperation between the two branches aka as bipartisanship can this be accomplished. The only bipartisanship in the House for the past two and half years has been on the permanent income tax increase but not too much on the cuts or reforms. Since the Speaker is touting his bipartisanship and he agrees reforms are necessary it would be great if you would pay this more than lip service
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 4:53 pm:
===Only through cooperation between the two branches aka as bipartisanship can this be accomplished===
Rauner has yet to embarrass Speaker Madigan with 60 House members on the stairs saying “We agree to a budget, with Governor Rauner, Speaker Madigan”
What did happen is 15 first, then 10 actual Republicans decided Rauner destroying Illinois was too much, and a bipartisan budget override happened.
Bruce Rauner fails. It’s that simple. Ask Candidate Rauner.
===The only bipartisanship in the House for the past two and half years has been on the permanent income tax increase but not too much on the cuts or reforms===
… and the budget overrides, and SB1, Rauner’s Education funding that is really a “Chicago Bailout”.
You forget lots, lol
===Since the Speaker is touting his bipartisanship and he agrees reforms are necessary it would be great if you would pay this more than lip service===
LOL
Right now, a long list of possible embarrassing overrides are on the horizon.
You’re worried about cooperation?
The General Assembly is setting up to embarrass Governor Rauner with every override coming.
Those are bipartisan actions, lol
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 6:22 pm:
==Huh, another “blame Madigan” ad.
Wonder how that will “go” for a failed governor named Bruce Rauner, lol==
actually, quite well. Attacking Madigan resonates with voters.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 6:28 pm:
===actually, quite well. Attacking Madigan resonates with voters.===
Too bad Rauner won’t be running against Rauner and had other governors admit he (Rauner) is inept.
Total genius, lol
===Madigan responded to it.===
Why wouldn’t he? lol
It’s like a gift. Governors saying Rauner can’t get anything done, incompetent, no real victories, nothing accomplished.
You do know Rauner is an incumbent.